Lignin paves the way for a fossil-free society
Lignin is the substance that gives plants strength and resilience. Properties that make lignin a promising replacement for materials produced from oil and coal. Researchers at Stockholm University are investigating the potential of lignin as a basis for future materials.
Watch a film about the research.
About lignin
- Lignin is a polymer found in all terrestrial plants. One third of the dry weight of all plants is lignin. It binds together so-called hemicellulose and cellulose and gives the tree its strength.
- Lignins are the youngest type of biopolymers we have. They are only 450 million years old, but are the second most abundant biopolymers in the biosphere and contain about 30 per cent of the Earth's biological carbon.
- Basic research on lignin is ongoing in several different research areas at Stockholm University, including materials chemistry, organic chemistry, and ecology, environment and botany.
What makes lignin so exciting to work with is its enormous potential in the transition to a sustainable society. It is a privilege to be part of that development and to see the emergence of a new generation of researchers and policy makers, with bright ideas and optimism for the future, says Mika Sipponen, researcher in materials chemistry.

Together with his research group at the Department of chemistry, Mika Sipponen develops lignin-based functional materials for sustainable energy and environmental applications. The group currently has nine ongoing research projects.
Research focus: carbon capture, crop protection in agriculture, recyclable and biodegradable plastics and insulation materials, bio-based adhesives and lignin-based paints. The group also runs interdisciplinary projects focusing on sustainable forest resource management.
What are your strengths as a research team?
Interdisciplinarity. It promotes collaboration and attracts talented students and early-career researchers to us.
Why is interdisciplinarity important?
It brings together scientific expertise, for example in the integration of lignin nanoparticles in batteries. Here we work together with leading researchers from Linköping University and the University of the Basque Country, among others. These collaborations enrich our research and create valuable networks for the whole team.

The fact that we still don't know what lignin looks like is exciting. There is great untapped potential in lignin as a green chemical, a material that is currently only burned. But this presupposes that there are effective methods for extracting lignin from biomass and transforming it into something valuable, says Joseph Samec, professor of organic chemistry.

Together with his research group at the Department of Chemistry, Joseph Samec is working on the processing of bio-based residual streams and the design of circular products. The group currently has one ongoing research project.
Research focus: to develop methods for developing and modifying lignin from wood and bark, including through catalytic reactions, to then find smart materials with different functions.
What are your strengths as a research team?
We span the entire spectrum from plant biology to chemistry and applications in materials and green chemicals. We work both with other research groups around the world and industries on both the forestry and agricultural side. It's a win-win. They both contribute with lignin and are interested in products that can be made from lignin. It's important to have the whole value chain involved if the inventions you work on are to have real value.
Currently, lignins are a black hole with many unknowns. For example, we don't know how many different lignin molecules are present within a cell and whether it differs between different cell types in response to environmental changes,’ says Edouard Pesquet, professor of molecular plant physiology.

Together with his research group at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Edouard Pesquet is investigating how plants create different lignins with specific composition and structure. Currently, he has four ongoing research projects.
Research focus: how the formation of lignin is controlled within plant cells and how it differs between different types of plant cells. Edouard has focused on the genetic, cellular and physiological importance of lignin in plants.
What is so fascinating about lignin?
Despite being so common, lignins remain a mystery with many unknowns that I want to understand, for example: how can different cell types accumulate different types of lignin within the same plant, while the same cell type can accumulate similar lignin between different plant species?
What have you learnt so far?
I am just beginning to understand the incredible potential of the chemical and structural complexity of lignins, which can provide plant cells with unique properties such as UV protection, protective coatings, antifungal and antibacterial properties, and mechanical adaptability.
How does lignin research at Stockholm University compare internationally?
Stockholm University has brought together the whole chain of expertise in lignin research, from the biology of lignin in plants, which is what I work on, to isolating lignin using environmentally friendly methods and using lignin to create new products. This makes Stockholm University an excellent place for lignin research. Now, other research areas at Stockholm University are also joining in, in areas such as chemical analysis, nutritional impact, climate modelling and population genetics, to investigate the crucial role of lignins.
Why is interdisciplinary collaboration important?
Understanding the enormous complexity of lignins requires a multidisciplinary approach. My expertise in cell and molecular biology is currently complemented by collaborations with other experts in population genetics, climate science, materials science, biophysical modelling and chemical analysis. Such a multidisciplinary approach will allow us to better understand lignin in plants, from its structure and properties at the molecular level to its role in specific plant species that have adapted to different ecosystems on Earth.
In the lab
Last updated: January 22, 2025
Source: Communications Office